The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has released a guideline for protesters mandating any group planning any protest in Nigeria to submit their details to the Commissioner of Police in their respective states.
According to the IGP, the measure is to ensure that the protests do not turn violent or get highjacked by hoodlums to cause public unrest.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Egbedokun stated that, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest
“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The measure is part of government’s strategy to stop the planned “end bad governance” protest planned by Nigerians across the federation.
The new guideline according the police boss also include a stringent requirement that all protesters must, “Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”